Methods of inhibiting and treating bacterial biofilms by metal chelators

ABSTRACT

The invention presented herein provides methods and compositions for the prevention and treatment of bacterial infections. The methods are based on the discovery that depletion of bioavailable iron stimulates surface motility in bacteria thus inhibiting the ability of a bacterial population to develop into a biofilm.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the priority to PCT/US03/12128, filed on Apr.18, 2003, which claims the benefit of provisional application Ser. No.60/373,461, filed Apr. 18, 2002, the entire contents of which areincorporated herein by this reference.

BACKGROUND

Antimicrobial factors form one arm of the innate immune system whichprotects mucosal surfaces from bacterial infection. These factors canrapidly kill bacteria deposited on mucosal surfaces and prevent acuteinvasive infections. In many chronic infections, however, bacteria livein biofilms; i.e., distinct, matrix-encased communities specialized forsurface persistence. The transition from a free-living, independentexistence to a biofilm lifestyle can be devastating because biofilmsnotoriously resist killing by host defense mechanisms and antibiotics.

Biofilms are defined as an association of microorganisms, e.g., singleor multiple species, that grow attached to a surface and produce a slimelayer that provides a protective environment (Costerton, J. W. (1995) JInd. Microbiol. 15(3):137-40, Costerton, J. W. et al. (1995) Annu RevMicrobiol. 49:711-45). Typically, biofilms produce large amounts ofextracellular polysaccharides, responsible for the slimy appearance, andare characterized by an increased resistance to antibiotics (1000- to1500-fold less susceptible). Several mechanisms are proposed to explainthis biofilm resistance to antimicrobial agents (Costerton, J. W. et al.(1999) Science. 284(5418):1318-22).

One theory is that the extracellular matrix in which the bacterial cellsare embedded provides a barrier toward penetration by the biocides. Afurther possibility is that a majority of the cells in a biofilm are ina slow-growing, nutrient-starved state, and therefore not as susceptibleto the effects of anti-microbial agents. A third mechanism of resistancecould be that the cells in a biofilm adopt a distinct and protectedbiofilm phenotype, e.g., by elevated expression of drug-efflux pumps.

In most natural settings, bacteria grow predominantly in biofilms.Biofilms of P. aeruginosa have been isolated from medical implants, suchas indwelling urethral, venous or peritoneal catheters (Stickler, D. J.et al. (1998) Appl Environ Microbiol. 64(9):3486-90). Chronic P.aeruginosa infections in cystic fibrosis lungs are considered to bebiofilms (Costerton, J. W. et al. (1999) Science. 284 (5418):1318-22).P. aeruginosa is also of great industrial concern (Bitton, G. (1994)Wastewater Microbiology. Wiley-Liss, New York, N.Y.; Steelhammer, J. C.et al. (1995) Indust. Water Treatm. :49-55). The organism grows in anaggregated state, the biofilm, which causes problems in manywater-processing plants. Of particular public health concern are foodprocessing and water purification plants. Problems include corrodedpipes, loss of efficiency in heat exchangers and cooling towers, pluggedwater injection jets leading to increased hydraulic pressure, andbiological contamination of drinking water distribution systems (Bitton,G. (1994) Wastewater Microbiology. Wiley-Liss, New York, N.Y., 9). Theelimination of biofilms in industrial equipment has so far been theprovince of biocides. Biocides, in contrast to antibiotics, areantimicrobials that do not possess high specificity for bacteria, sothey are often toxic to humans as well. Biocide sales in the US run atabout $1 billion per year (Peaff, G. (1994) Chem. Eng. News: 15-23).

A particularly ironic connection between industrial water contaminationand public health issues is an outbreak of P. aeruginosa peritonitisthat was traced back to contaminated poloxamer-iodine solution, adisinfectant used to treat the peritoneal catheters. P. aeruginosa iscommonly found to contaminate distribution pipes and water filters usedin plants that manufacture iodine solutions. Once the organism hasmatured into a biofilm, it becomes protected against the biocidalactivity of the iodophor solution. Hence, a common soil organism that isharmless to the healthy population, but causes mechanical problems inindustrial settings, ultimately contaminated antibacterial solutionsthat were used to treat the very people most susceptible to infection.

P. aeruginosa is a soil and water bacterium that can infect animalhosts. Normally, the host defense system is adequate to preventinfection. However, in immunocompromised individuals (such as burnpatients, patients with cystic fibrosis, or patients undergoingimmunosuppressive therapy), P. aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen,and infection with P. aeruginosa can be fatal (Govan, J. R. et al.(1996) Microbiol Rev. 60(3):539-74; Van Delden, C. et al. (1998) EmergInfect Dis. 4(4):551-60).

For example, Cystic fibrosis (CF), the most common inherited lethaldisorder in Caucasian populations (˜1 out of 2,500 life births), ischaracterized by bacterial colonization and chronic infections of thelungs. The most prominent bacterium in these infections is P.aeruginosa. By their mid-twenties, over 80% of people with CF have P.aeruginosa in their lungs (Govan, J. R. et al. (1996) Microbiol Rev.60(3):539-74). Although these infections can be controlled for manyyears by antibiotics, ultimately the P. aeruginosa bacteria form abiofilm that is resistant to antibiotic treatment. At this point theprognosis is poor. The median survival age for people with CF is thelate 20s, with P. aeruginosa being the leading cause of death (Govan, J.R. et al. (1996) Microbiol Rev. 60(3):539-74). According to the CysticFibrosis Foundation, treatment of CF cost more than $900 million in1995.

In addition, about two million Americans suffer serious burns each year,and 10,000-12,000 die from their injuries. The leading cause of death isinfection (Lee, J. J. et al. (1990) J Burn Care Rehabil. 11(6):575-80).P. aeruginosa bacteremia occurs in 10% of seriously burned patients,with a mortality rate of 80% (Mayhall, C. G. (1993) p. 614-664,Prevention and control of nosocomial infections. Williams & Wilkins,Baltimore; McManus, A. T et al. (1985) Eur J Clin Microbiol.4(2):219-23).

Such infections are often acquired in hospitals (“nosocomialinfections”) when susceptible patients come into contact with otherpatients, hospital staff, or equipment. In 1995 there were approximately2 million incidents of nosocomial infections in the U.S., resulting in88,000 deaths and an estimated cost of $4.5 billion (Weinstein, R. A.(1998) Emerg Infect Dis. 4(3):416-20). Of the AIDS patients mentionedabove who died of P. aeruginosa bacteremia, more than half acquiredthese infections in hospitals (Meynard, J. L. et al. (1999) J Infect.38(3):176-81).

Nosocomial infections are especially common in patients of intensivecare units as these people often have weakened immune systems and arefrequently on ventilators and/or catheters. Catheter-associated urinarytract infections are the most common nosocomial infection (Richards, M.J. et al. (1999) Crit Care Med. 27(5):887-92) (31% of the total), and P.aeruginosa is highly associated with biofilm growth and catheterobstruction. While the catheter is in place, these infections aredifficult to eliminate (Stickler, D. J. et al. (1998) Appl EnvironMicrobiol. 64(9):3486-90). The second most frequent nosocomial infectionis pneumonia, with P. aeruginosa the cause of infection in 21% of thereported cases (Richards, M. J. et al. (1999) Crit Care Med.27(5):887-92). The annual costs for diagnosing and treating nosocomialpneumonia has been estimated at greater than $2 billion (Craven, D. E.et al. (1991) Am J Med. 91(3B):44S-53S).

Treatment of these so-called nosocomial infections is complicated by thefact that bacteria encountered in hospital settings are often resistantto many antibiotics. In June 1998, the National Nosocomial InfectionsSurveillance (NNIS) System reported increases in resistance of P.aeruginosa isolates from intensive care units of 89% for quinoloneresistance and 32% for imipenem resistance compared to the years1993-1997 (NNIS. http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/hip/NNIS/AR_Surv1198.htm). Infact, some strains of P. aeruginosa are resistant to over 100antibiotics (Levy, S. (1998) Scientific American. March). There is acritical need to overcome the emergence of bacterial strains that areresistant to conventional antibiotics (Travis, J. (1994) Science.264:360-362).

Methods of inhibiting biofilm formation in medical and industrialsettings have previously been developed using metal chelators. Thesemethods have disclosed the use of small molecule chelators, i.e., EDTA,EGTA, deferoxamine, detheylenetriamine penta acetic acid and etidronatefor the inhibition of biofilm. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,267,979discloses the use of metal chelators in combination with antifungal orantibiotic compositions for the prevention of biofouling in watertreatment, pulp and paper manufacturing, and oil field water flooding;U.S. Pat. No. 6,086,921 discloses the use of thiol containing compoundsin combination with heavy metals as biocides; and U.S. Pat. No.5,688,516 discloses the use of non-glycopeptide antimicrobial agents incombination with divalent metal chelating agents for use in thetreatment and preparation of medical indwelling devices.

There still exists a need in the medical, environmental and industrialcommunity for the control of biofilm formation. The control of biofilmsneeds to begin at the level of biofilm formation because, once formed,biofilms are exquisitely resistant to all common bactericidal methods.The present invention provides methods and compositions for inhibitingbiofilm formation by chelating metal ions and provides methodology forthe treatment of subjects with a bacterial infection prior to biofilmdevelopment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In general, the invention provides a method to inhibit bacterial biofilmformation. The inhibition of biofilms allows for removal of potentiallyharmful bacteria. More particularly, the invention is based on thediscovery that by limiting the amount of iron that is available to apopulation of bacteria, biofilm formation can be inhibited.

In one aspect, the invention provides a method of inhibiting biofilmformation by bacteria by contacting the bacteria with a metal chelator.

In another aspect, the invention provides a method of inhibiting biofilmformation by contacting a bacterial population with a metal chelatorsuch that the lack of metal ions stimulates surface motility.

The invention also provides a method of inhibiting biofilm developmentin a subject by administering a metal chelator. Administration of ametal chelator will inhibit biofilm formation and allow the subject'simmune system and/or antibiotics or other antibacterial agents to killthe bacteria.

Another aspect of the invention provides a method of treating a subjectsuffering from a bacterial infection by administering to the subject acomposition containing a metal chelator. The composition may alsoinclude an antibacterial agent such as an antibiotic.

In another aspect, the invention provides a method of inhibiting biofilmformation on a medical indwelling device in a subject by administeringto the subject a metal chelator. These devices, for example, may includecatheters, pacemakers, or orthopedic devices.

In another aspect, the invention provides a microbial disinfectantcontaining a metal chelator. The disinfectant can also contain a biocideor an antibiotic.

In another aspect, the invention provides a pharmaceutical compositioncontaining a therapeutically effective amount of a metal chelator and apharmaceutically acceptable carrier. This composition can also containan antibacterial agent such as an antibiotic.

In another aspect, the invention provides a method of inhibiting biofilmon a piece of equipment, e.g., a device, by contacting, e.g., bathing orcoating, the equipment with a metal chelator such that any bacteria onthe equipment are not able to form a biofilm. This application isparticularly useful in industrial settings such as, for example,medical, water treatment, pulp and paper manufacturing and oil fieldwater flooding.

The methods of the current invention are particularly effective when themetal chelator is applied prior to the point at which the bacteria stoproaming as, individuals. Therefore, in one aspect the invention providesmethods of inhibiting biofilm development by contacting a bacterialpopulation with a metal chelator prior to the point when the bacteriastop roaming as individuals

In another aspect, the invention provides a kit containing a metalchelator and instructions for use. In a related aspect, the kit maycontain an antibacterial agent such as an antibiotic.

In another aspect, the methods of the invention further comprise thestep of obtaining the metal chelator.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the metal chelatoris a non-proteinaceous metal chelator. In accordance with anotherembodiment of the invention, the metal chelator is a proteinaceous metalchelator.

For example, a proteinaceous metal chelator in accordance with theinvention can be a naturally occurring polypeptide, or fragment of anaturally occurring polypeptide, that has the ability to sequester metalions; or, conversely, can be an engineered polypeptide. In particularembodiments, the metal chelator can be specific for iron. For example,the proteinaceous metal chelator can be a known iron chelating proteinsuch as lactoferrin or conalbumin.

The metal chelators of the invention are useful against pathogenicbacteria. For example, in certain embodiments, proteinaceous metalchelators are useful against Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts the growth of P. aeruginosa in the presence oflactoferrin.

FIGS. 2A-H depict confocal microscopic images of GFP-labeled P.aeruginosa in biofilm flow cells.

FIGS. 3A-D depict representations of bacterial behaviors without andwith lactoferrin.

FIGS. 4A-F depict the role of iron in biofilm development.

FIGS. 5A-B depict the effect of conalbumin on the antimicrobialsusceptibility of P. aeruginosa biofilms to tobramycin.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Definitions

Before further description of the invention, certain terms employed inthe specification, examples and appended claims are, for convenience,collected here.

The term “amino acid” as used herein, refers to naturally andnon-naturally occurring amino acids, and residues thereof. Thus, theterm is intended to include analogs, derivatives and congeners of anyspecific amino acids, and residues thereof.

The term “antibacterial agent” refers to any substance that is eitherbactericidal or bacteriostatic, i.e., capable of killing or inhibitingthe growth of bacterial cells.

The term “antibiotic” refers to a chemical substance produced by amicroorganism, which has the capacity to inhibit the growth of or tokill other microorganisms. The “term” antibiotic also refers tosynthetically made compounds that have the capacity to inhibit thegrowth of or to kill a microorganism (e.g., a bacterium).

The term “biocide” refers to a substance that is that is capable ofkilling a living organism, or that is any substance that is toxic toliving organisms.

The term “biofilm” refers to a population of a bacteria growing on asurface, wherein the bacteria are encased in a matrix ofpolysaccharides, glycoproteins or nucleic acids. In this state, bacteriaare highly resistant to both phagocytes and antibiotics. The term“biofilm” is further intended to include biological films that developand persist at interfaces in aqueous environments. Biofilms are composedof microorganisms embedded in an organic gelatinous structure composedof one or more matrix polymers which are secreted by the residentmicroorganisms.

The language “biofilm development” or “biofilm formation” is intended toinclude the formation, growth, and modification of the bacterialcolonies-contained with biofilm structures, as well as the synthesis andmaintenance of the exopolysaccharide matrix of the biofilm structures.

The term “engineered polypeptide” refers to any polypeptide that has atleast one altered amino acid such that it performs a desired function.The altered amino acid or acids may be natural amino acids or artificialamino acids (e.g., analogs or mimetics). Thus, the “engineeredpolypeptides” are intended to include compounds composed, in whole or inpart, of peptidomimetic structures, such as D-amino acids, non-naturallyoccurring L-amino acids, modified peptide backbones, and the like.Engineered peptides can be produced synthetically or recombinantly.Methods for preparing peptidomimetics are known in the art. For example,a peptidomimetic can be derived as a retro-inverso analog of thepeptide. Such retro-inverso analogs can be prepared according to methodsknow in the art (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,522,752.)

The terms “effective amount” and “therapeutically effect amount” areused interchangeably and are intended to include the amount of acompound of the invention given or applied to an organism or subjectthat allows the compound to perform its intended therapeutic function.The effective amounts of the compound of the invention will varyaccording to factors such as the degree of infection in the subject, theage, sex, and weight of the subject. Dosage regimes can be adjusted toprovide the optimum therapeutic response. For example, several divideddoses can be administered daily or the dose can be proportionallyreduced as indicated by the exigencies of the therapeutic situation.

The term “flyer” refers to a behavior of bacterial cells that havedetached from the surface where they were grown and are swept away bythe flow of medium.

The term “fragment” refers to any portion of a naturally occurringpolypeptide. A fragment can be made synthetically, enzymatically, orrecombinantly. In one embodiment of the invention, a fragment is aportion of a naturally occurring polypeptide that retains the ability tochelate iron.

The term “medical indwelling device” refers to any medical deviceimplanted or inserted in the human body. Such devices can be temporarilyor permanently implanted or inserted. A medical indwelling device canbe, for example, catheters, orthopedic devices, prosthetic devices,vascular stents, urinary stents, pacemakers, or implants.

The term “metal chelator” is intended to describe any substance that isable to remove a metal ion from a solution system by forming a newcomplex ion, that has different chemical properties than those of theoriginal metal ion. The term is further intended to encompass substancesthat are capable of chelating metal ions, specifically divalent metals.Metal chelators in accordance with the invention can benon-proteinaceous metal chelators or proteinaceous metal chelators.

The term “metal ions” is intended to include any metal ion that isbioavailable, i.e., any metal ion involved in a biochemical reaction orpathway, or any metal ions that is available in the fluid, tissue orbone of a subject.

The term “non-proteinaceous metal chelator” refers to a metal chelatorthat does not comprise protein or protein-like moieties. In other words,a non-proteinaceous metal chelator is not peptide based and does notcontain amino acids. Advantageously, non-proteinaceous metal chelatorsare small molecules; i.e., organic non-peptidic compounds.

The term “pharmaceutical composition” includes preparations suitable foradministration to mammals, e.g., humans. When the compounds of thepresent invention are administered as pharmaceuticals to mammals, e.g.,humans, they can be given per se or as a pharmaceutical compositioncontaining, for example, 0.1 to 99.5% of active ingredient incombination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Pharmaceuticalcompositions of the current invention may further contain a biocide,antimicrobial, or antibiotic.

The phrase “pharmaceutically acceptable carrier” is art recognized andincludes a pharmaceutically acceptable material, composition or vehicle,suitable for administering compounds of the present invention tomammals. The carriers include liquid or solid filler, diluent,excipient, solvent or encapsulating material, involved in carrying ortransporting the subject agent from one organ, or portion of the body,to another organ, or portion of the body. Each carrier must be“acceptable” in the sense of being compatible with the other ingredientsof the formulation and not injurious to the patient. Some examples ofmaterials which can serve as pharmaceutically acceptable carriersinclude: sugars, such as lactose, glucose and sucrose; starches, such ascorn starch and potato starch; cellulose, and its derivatives, such assodium carboxymethyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose and cellulose acetate;powdered tragacanth; malt; gelatin; talc; excipients, such as cocoabutter and suppository waxes; oils, such as peanut oil, cottonseed oil,safflower oil, sesame oil, olive oil, corn oil and soybean oil; glycols,such as propylene glycol; polyols, such as glycerin, sorbitol, mannitoland polyethylene glycol; esters, such as ethyl oleate and ethyl laurate;agar; buffering agents, such as magnesium hydroxide and aluminumhydroxide; alginic acid; pyrogen-free water; isotonic saline; Ringer'ssolution; ethyl alcohol; phosphate buffer solutions; and other non-toxiccompatible substances employed in pharmaceutical formulations.

The term “proteinaceous” as used herein refers to molecules comprisingprotein or protein-like moieties. Thus, the term encompasses moleculesthat are naturally occurring proteins, fragments of naturally occurringproteins, and engineered polypeptides comprising naturally occurringamino acids, analogs of naturally occurring amino acids, andcombinations thereof.

The terms “protein” and “polypeptide” are used interchangeably herein.The term “peptide” is used herein to refer to a chain of two or moreamino acids or amino acid analogs (including non-naturally occurringamino acids), with adjacent amino acids joined by peptide (—NHCO—)bonds. Thus, peptides in accordance with the invention includeoligopeptides, polypeptides, proteins, and peptidomimetics.

The term “rambler” refers to bacterial cells that move away from thesite of cell division in response to an external stimulus.

The term “squatter” refers to bacterial cells that remain stationary ona surface from the time they are created by cell division to the timethey themselves divided.

The term “surface motility” refers to the capacity of bacteria totranslocate over surfaces. Surface motility can be divided into twodistinct behaviors. The first, termed “twitching”, is a type oftranslocation used by bacteria to move over surfaces using pili. Thesecond, termed “swarming”, is a social motility in which groups ofbacteria move together over a surface. The mechanism of swarming is notcompletely characterized as of yet.

The term “subject” includes organisms which are can suffer frombiofilm-associated states. The term subject includes mammals, e.g.,horses, monkeys, bears, dogs, cats, mice, rabbits, cattle, squirrels,rats, and, preferably, humans. In a further embodiment, the subject maybe immunocompromised.

Overview of the Invention

Biofilms are known to be problematic in many settings including medical,industrial and mechanical environments. The inventors disclose herein anovel method to inhibit biofilm formation. It has been discovered thatlimiting the amount of bioavailable iron to a population of bacteriadrastically inhibits the ability of bacteria to organize into biofilms.By artificially manipulating the amount of iron available, the inventorsare able to control the formation, development, persistence anddispersion of microbial biofilms.

In one aspect, the invention provides a method of inhibiting biofilmformation by bacteria by contacting the bacteria with a metal chelator.In one embodiment, the metal chelators of the invention can beproteinaceous. In another embodiment, the chelators can benon-proteinaceous.

Biofilms can be comprised of bacteria, fungi, yeast, protozoa, and othermicroorganisms. Most commonly biofilms are made of bacteria. Both gramnegative and gram positive bacteria are capable of forming biofilms.Examples of gram positive bacteria that are capable of forming biofilmsare bacteria from the genus Staphylococcus including, but not limitedto, organisms from the species epidermidis and aureus. Examples of gramnegative bacteria that are capable of forming biofilms are bacteria fromthe genuses Pseudomonas, Klebsiella, Enterobacter, Serratia, andPantoea. In one embodiment of the invention, the bacteria arePseudomonas aeruginosa.

Many proteins chelate metal ions. Metals such as zinc, lead, iron,copper, calcium, and manganeese are capable of being chelated. Proteinsare well known in the art to chelate specific metal ions. For example,the ring finger family of proteins has been shown to chelate zinc;Glucose Regulated Protein 78(GRP78) (Peterson, M. G., et al. (1988) DNA7, 71-78) has been shown to chelate lead; lactoferrin and conabluminhave been shown to chelate iron; metallothionein has been shown tochelate copper; and glutamate decarboxylase C1(Gad C1) (Jackson, F. R.,et al. (1990) J. Neurochem. 54 (3), 1068-1078) has been shown to chelatecalcium. In one embodiment of the invention, the metal being chelated isiron.

In certain embodiments of the invention, the metal chelator is aproteinaceous iron chelator and, as such, can be a naturally occurringpolypeptide, or fragment of a naturally occurring polypeptide that hasthe ability to sequester metal ions or, conversely, can be an engineeredpolypeptide with the ability to bind iron. In specific embodiments theproteinaceous metal chelator can be a known iron chelating protein suchas, e.g., lactoferrin or conalbumin.

In other embodiments, the metal chelator is a non-proteinaceous ironchelator. In one embodiment of the invention, the non-proteinaceousmetal chelators are small molecule metal chelators. In certainembodiments of the invention, the non-proteinaceous iron chelators ofthe invention exclude those disclosed in the prior art, including thosedisclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,688 516, 6,267,979, and U.S. Pat. No.6,086,921, e.g., EDTA, EGTA, deferoxamine, detheylenetriamine-pentaacetic acid and etidronate, for the inhibition of biofilms, e.g., inindustrial settings and on medical indwelling devices.

In preferred embodiments of the invention, the non-proteinaceous metalchelators include ethylenediamine-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid (EDTA); thedisodium, trisodium, tetrasodium, dipotassium, tripotassiun, dilithiumand diammonium salts of EDTA; the barium, calcium, cobalt, copper,dysprosium, europium, iron, indium, lanthanum, magnesium, manganese,nickel, samarium, strontium, and zinc chelates of EDTA;trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane-N,N,N′,N′-tetraaceticacid monohydrate;N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)glycine;1,3-diamino-2-hydroxypropane-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid;1,3-diaminopropane-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid;ethylenediamine-N,N′-diacetic acid; ethylenediamine-N,N′-dipropionicacid dihydrochloride; ethylenediamine-N,N′-bis(methylenephosphonicacid)hemihydrate; N-(2-hydroxyethyl)ethylenediamine-N,N′,N′-triaceticacid; ethylenediamine-N,N,N′,N′-tetrakis(methylenephosponic acid);O,O′-bis(2-aminoethyl)ethyleneglycol-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid;N,N-bis(2-hydroxybenzyl)ethylene diamine-N,N-diacetic acid;1,6-hexamethylenediamine-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid;N-(2-hydroxyethyl)iminodiacetic acid; iminodiacetic acid;1,2-diaminopropane-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid; nitrilotriacetic acid;nitrilotripropionic acid; the trisodium salt ofnitrilotris(methylenephosphoric acid);7,19,30-trioxa-1,4,10,13,16,22,27,33-octaazabicyclo[11,11,11]pentatriacontane hexahydrobromide; andtriethylenetetraminie-N,N,N′,N″,N′″,N′″-hexaacetic acid.

In another aspect, the invention provides a method of stimulatingsurface motility in bacteria. Surface motility is exhibited by certainbacterial cells when on surfaces, e.g., solid or semi solid surfaces.Much effort has been invested in recent years to determine the molecularbasis of surface motility. Specific genes and pathways that are involvedin surface motility have been recently identified, e.g., the Pil genesfrom Psuedomonas.

In one embodiment, the invention provides a method of inhibiting biofilmformation by stimulating surface motility in a bacterial population bycontacting the bacteria with a metal chelator, e.g., a proteinaceous ornon-proteinaceous metal chelator.

In particular aspects of this embodiment of the invention, theproteinaceous metal chelator can be specific for iron, e.g., lactoferrinor conalbumin. In certain embodiments, the proteinaceous metal chelatorcan be a naturally occurring polypeptide, or fragment thereof. In otherembodiments, the proteinaceous metal chelator can be an engineeredpolypeptide with the ability to chelate metal. In particular embodimentsof the invention, the bacterium in which surface motility is beingstimulated is Psuedomonas aeruginosa.

In another aspect, the invention provides a method of inhibiting biofihmdevelopment in a subject by administering a metal chelator, e.g., aproteinaceous or non-proteinaceous metal chelator. This aspect of theinvention is particularly useful in subjects known to have a high riskof developing a bacterial biofilm infection, e.g., cystic fibrosispatients. Studies have shown that the immune system is capable offighting infections of the bacteria that comprise biofilms as long asthey are not assembled into a biofihm. As shown in the Examples below,proteinaceous metal chelators in accordance with the invention inhibitbiofilm formation. Thus, administration of a proteinaceous ornon-proteinaceous metal chelator would allow the host immune system toeffectively combat bacterial infections that would otherwise developinto infections of biofilms.

In certain aspects the biofilm development occurs in the regions of theairway, lungs, eye (e.g., the cornea), ear (e.g., middle ear), mouth(e.g., gums and jawbone), heart, prostate, kidneys or bones. Inparticular aspects of this embodiment of the invention, theproteinaceous metal chelator can be specific for iron, e.g., lactoferrinor conalbumin. In certain embodiments, the proteinaceous metal chelatorcan be a naturally occurring polypeptide, or fragment thereof. In otherembodiments of the invention, the proteinaceous metal chelator can be anengineered polypeptide with the ability to chelate metal. In particularembodiments of the invention, the bacterium in which surface motility isbeing stimulated is Psuedomonas aeruginosa.

In another aspect, the invention provides a method of treating a subjectsuffering from a bacterial infection by administering a therapeuticallyeffective amount of a metal chelator, e.g., a proteinaceous ornon-proteinaceous metal chelator. In one embodiment, a subject shown tohave a bacterial infection by any of a number of other tests, can beadministered a metal chelator such that the bacterial infection does notprogress to a bacterial biofilm infection. Administration of a metalchelator inhibits the ability of the bacteria to form a biofilm, thusrendering the bacteria susceptible to the immune system of the subject,and/or to antibacterial agents, e.g., antibiotics.

In a related aspect, the metal chelator can be administered incombination with an antibacterial agent. Antibacterial agents includeantibiotics, biocides, antimicrobials, and bacteriostatic agents. In oneparticular embodiment, the proteinaceous metal chelator is administeredin combination with an antibiotic. Examples of antibiotics that can beused in combination with a proteinaceous metal chelator include, but arenot limited to the following: tobramycin, tazobactam, ciprofloxin,semi-synthetic penicillins, aminoglycosides, fluoroquinonescephlosoprins,and clindamycin,.

In one aspect, the invention provides a composition, e.g., apharmaceutical composition, used to inhibit biofilm formation thatincludes a therapeutically effective amount of a metal chelator, e.g., aproteinaceous or non-proteinaceous metal chelator, and apharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The composition can further includean antibiotic. Antibiotics intended for use in this invention include,but are not limited to: broad-spectrum antibiotics (e.g.,tetracyclines); medium-spectrum antibiotics (e.g., bacitracin,erythromycins, penicillin, cephalosporins and streptomycins); and narrowspectrum antibiotics (e.g., antibiotics that are effective against onlya few species of bacteria, for example, polymixins). In certainparticular examples, tobramycin, tazobactam, ciprofloxin, piperacellinsemi-synthetic penicillins, amino glycosides, fluoroquinones,cephlosporins, or clindamycin are used in the composition.

In certain embodiments the proteinaceous metal chelator can be anaturally occurring polypeptide, or fragment thereof. In otherembodiments of the invention the proteinaceous metal chelator can be anengineered polypeptide with the ability to chelate metal. In particularembodiments of this invention the bacteria is Psuedomonas aeruginosa.

Biofilms frequently occur on devices that are implanted in a patient fortherapeutic purposes. Such medical indwelling devices include, but arenot limited to, contact lenses, catheters, central venous catheters andneedleless connectors, endotracheal tubes, orthopedic devices,intrauterine devices, mechanical heart valves, artificial hearts,pacemakers, peritoneal dialysis catheters, prosthetic devices,tympanostomy tubes, urinary catheters, and voice prostheses, vascularstents, urinary stents and implants.

Thus, in another embodiment, the invention provides a method ofinhibiting biofilm development on a medical indwelling device. Themethod comprises administering to an individual with a medicalindwelling device an effective amount of a metal chelator, e.g., aproteinaceous or non-proteinaceous metal chelator. In specificembodiments, the medical indwelling devices are catheters, orthopedicdevices, prosthetic devices, vascular stents, urinary stents, pacemakersand implants.

In another embodiment, the invention provides a method for inhibitingbiofilm formation, and bacterial growth on food. The method comprisescontacting the food with an effective amount of a metal chelator, e.g.,a proteinaceous or non-proteinaceous metal chelator. The metal chelatormay be one component of a composition that further includes anantibacterial agent. In one specific embodiment, the food is a meat.

In another aspect, the invention provides a composition that acts as amicrobial disinfectant. In one embodiment, the microbial disinfectantcontains an effective amount of a metal chelator, e.g., a proteinaceousor non-proteinaceous metal chelator. In related embodiments, thedisinfectant contains a biocide or antibiotic. One example of anapplication for a microbial disinfectant in accordance with theinvention is for use in a hospital or medical setting to disinfectsurfaces that sterile instruments come in contact with during routineuse.

In another aspect, the invention provides a pharmaceutical compositionthat contains an effective amount of a metal chelator, e.g., aproteinaceous or non-proteinaceous metal chelator, and apharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Examples of pharmaceuticallyacceptable carriers include sugars, cellulose, and its derivatives,talc, excipients, oils, glycols, esters, buffering agents, ethylalcohol, phosphate buffer solutions; and other non-toxic compatiblesubstances employed in pharmaceutical formulations. In relatedembodiments, the pharmaceutical composition may contain an antibacterialagent. In a specific embodiment, the antibacterial agent is anantibiotic.

In specific embodiments, the concentration of the proteinaceous metalchelator, e.g., lactoferrin, used in the methods or compositionsdescribed herein is between about 5 and about 100 μg/ml. Preferably theconcentration of lactoferrin is between about 15 and about 40 μg/ml.More preferably the concentration of lactoferrin is between about 20 andabout 30 μg/ml. In a specific embodiment of the invention, theconcentration of lactoferrin is about 20 μg/ml.

In another aspect of the invention, the metal chelator, e.g., aproteinaceous or non-proteinaceous metal chelator, is part of a kit thatincludes instructions for use. The kit may be used for the treatment ofa subject with a bacterial infection, for prevention of biofilmdevelopment on a medically implanted device, or to inhibit biofilmdevelopment in an industrial or medical setting. The kit may contain anantimicrobial agent, e.g., an antibiotic.

The methods of the invention disclosed herein may further comprise thestep of obtaining the metal chelator, e.g., a proteinaceous ornon-proteinaceous metal chelator.

Exemplification

The invention is further illustrated by the following examples whichshould not be construed as limiting.

Materials and Methods

The following methods apply to the Examples described below.

Bacterial Strains, Plasmids, and Growth Conditions

P. aeruginosa strain PAO1 containing the GFP plasmid pMRP9-1 was usedfor most studies. Where indicated, an isogenic surface motility mutant(a PAO1 pilHIJK deletion mutant from J. Kato (Department of FermentationTechnology, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan.) containing pMRP9-1was used. Biofilm medium consisted of 1% Trypticase Soy Broth (Difco,Detroit, Mich.). In the growth experiments, approximately 10³ bacteriafrom an overnight culture were added to 5 ml of biofilm mediumcontaining the indicated concentrations of lactoferrin (Sigma ChemicalCo., St Louis, Mo.). Cultures were incubated in acid-washed tubes at 37°C. with shaking. Colony-forming units were determined by plate counting.The concentration of lactoferrin that inhibited bacterial growth variedsomewhat for different lots of lactoferrin but was never less than 30μg/ml. P. aeruginosa with pMRP9-1 was also grown inlactoferrin-containing effluent medium from flow cells. After one day ofbacterial growth, effluent was collected on ice, filter sterilized, andgrowth was assessed as above.

Bioflim Experiments

For studies of biofilm formation, wild-type P. aeruginosa PAO1 and thesurface motility mutant were grown in flow cells similar to thosedescribed previously; the size of the flow channel was 5×35×1 mm. Anovernight culture diluted to 10⁷ cells per ml in fresh biofilm mediumwas used as the inoculum and flow was arrested for 45 min. Flow ofbiofilm medium with and without 20 μg/ml of Fe-unsaturated orFe-saturated lactoferrin or conalbumin (Sigma Chemical Co.) was theninitiated at a rate of 170 μl/min. Images were obtained using a Biorad(Hercules, Calif.) scanning confocal microscope.

Bacterial movement was assessed by using time-lapse images acquired at 1min intervals. Motion of bacterial cells was traced visually byfollowing individual cells. VOXblast software (VayTek, Inc, Fairfield,Iowa) was used to obtain the X-Y coordinates of bacterial cells.

Bacterial behaviors were classified as follows. Squatters remainedwithin a 15 μm circle drawn around the point of parental cell divisionuntil the time of its cell division. Ramblers remained attached to thegrowth surface, but moved outside the circle. Flyers detached and werecarried away by media flow. Dividing times of attached bacteria weremeasured by counting the number of frames between cell divisions; 60bacterial divisions were observed and the dividing times were averaged.

P. aeruginosa biofilms for susceptibility tests were grown in a rotatingdisk reactor. Fe-unsaturated conalbumin (Sigma Chemical Co.) was addedto standard biofilm medium at indicated concentrations for the durationof biofilm growth. Discs and attached bacteria were then washed 3 timesin distilled water, and treated for 4 h in 1 ml of H₂O₂ (FisherScientific) or tobramycin (Eli Lilly, Indianapolis, Ind.) at indicatedconcentrations. The treated discs were washed 3 times, and bacteria wereremoved and dispersed in 2 ml sterile PBS by homogenization (BrinkmanHomogenizer, model 10/35). Viable cell numbers were enumerated by platecounting.

Surface Motility Assays

Plates for surface motility assays consisted of biofilm medium plus 1%Noble agar (Difco, Detroit, Mich.). Indicated concentrations ofdeferoxamine and FeCl₃ (Sigma Chemical Co.) were added to molten agar.Plates were dried overnight at room temperature, and P. aeruginosa withpMRP9-1 was point inoculated at the bottom of the Petri plate. After 3days, the surface distance along the plastic-agar interface (at thebottom of the agar plate) was measured.

EXAMPLE 1 Effect of Lactoferrin on Bioflim Formation

At high concentrations, lactoferrin is known to limit bacterial growthby sequestering iron. In this regard, lactoferrin acts like othernutrient-depriving host defense molecules, such as transcobalamins(which bind vitamin B12), and calprotectin (which binds zinc).Lactoferrin can also be bactericidal by binding lipopolysaccharide anddisrupting bacterial membranes, and it can enhance killing by otherantibiotics.

To determine whether lactoferrin has anti-biofilm activity that isdistinct from these known properties, the effect of a sub-inhibitoryconcentration of lactoferrin (20 μg/ml) on biofilm development wasexamined. This concentration of lactoferrin did not affect the growthrate of free swimming P. aeruginosa PAO1 (FIG. 1).

To evaluate the effect of lactoferrin on biofilm formation, P.aeruginosa expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) was grown incontinuous culture flow cells and followed biofilm development overtime. Flow cell chambers were continuously perfused with biofilm mediumwith or without lactoferrin. In medium without lactoferrin (FIGS. 2a-d), the typical stages of biofilm development were observed.Initially, bacteria attached to the surface (FIG. 2 a). Microcolonieswere evident after 24 h (FIG. 2 b). After 3 days, the microcolonies hadenlarged (FIG. 2 c). By day 7, towering pillar and mushroom shapedbiofilms had developed (FIG. 2 d). Lactoferrin disrupted this pattern ofdevelopment (FIGS. 2 e-h). Attached bacteria (FIG. 2 e) multiplied, butthey failed to form microcolonies (FIG. 2 f). Even after a prolongedincubation, the bacteria did not assemble into differentiated biofilmstructures; in the presence of lactoferrin they remained in a thin layer(FIGS. 2 g and h). In contrast, exposing mature, 5 day-old biofilms tolactoferrin-containing medium for 48 h failed to alter their structure.Thus, once they had developed, biofilms were resistant to lactoferrin.Because lactoferrin prevented biofilm development, additional studies toconfirm that the low concentration of lactoferrin did not preventbacterial growth were performed. To show that lactoferrin-containingmedium in flow cells could support growth of P. aeruginosa bacteria inthe effluent from a biofilm chamber were cultured. P. aeruginosa doubled6 times in 22 h in this conditioned medium, verifying that even spentlactoferrin-treated medium did not limit growth. Second, the dividingtimes of attached bacteria in flow cells using time-lapse videomicroscopy were measured. Lactoferrin increased the dividing time ofattached cells by 27% (93 min without lactoferrin vs. 127 min with 20μg/ml lactoferrin). Whereas this reduced growth rate could decrease thesize of microcolonies and biofilms, it could not account for thecomplete absence of biofilm structure induced by lactoferrin.

EXAMPLE 2 Effect of Lactoferrin on Bacterial Motion

Although the time-lapse microscopy showed only small differences individing times, it revealed that lactoferrin strikingly alteredbacterial movement. These differences are represented in FIGS. 3 a andb, which trace the movement of representative bacteria over the surfaceof a flow cell. In the absence of lactoferrin (FIG. 3 a), the parentbacterium moved across the field of view. When the parent cell divided,the two daughter cells remained near the point of parent cell division.When a daughter cell divided, its progeny also remained near the pointof the original cell division. Thus, a microcolony began to form. In thepresence of lactoferrin (FIG. 3 b), the parental cell also moved acrossthe field of view, and divided into two daughter cells. Withlactoferrin, however, the daughter cells moved away from the point ofcell division. When one of the daughter cells divided, its progeny alsoleft the site of cell division.

To analyze the changes more quantitatively, three behaviors were definedand the actions of 40 parental cells and their offspring over threegenerations were classified. Bacteria that remained stationary from thetime they were created by cell division to the time they themselvesdivided were called squatters. Bacteria that moved away from thedivision site were called ramblers, and cells that detached from thesurface and were swept away by the flow of medium were called flyers.FIGS. 3 c and d show the relative proportion of bacteria engaged inthese different behaviors. In the absence of lactoferrin, the majorityof cells were squatters, fewer cells were flyers, and rambling cellswere rare. In the presence of lactoferrin, a significantly largerproportion of cells exhibited rambling behavior and fewer weresquatters. In both cases, the prevailing behavior (squatting withoutlactoferrin, and rambling with lactoferrin) became more prevalent insubsequent bacterial generations.

EXAMPLE 3 Effect of Lactoferrin on Biofilm Formation

The mechanism of lactoferrin's action on biofilm development wasinvestigated. To examine the role of iron, the activity ofiron-saturated lactoferrin to iron-unsaturated lactoferrin was compared(FIGS. 4 a-c). Unlike iron-unsaturated lactoferrin, iron-saturatedlactoferrin did not prevent P. aeruginosa biofilm formation. Conalbumin,a lactoferrin-like chicken egg host defense protein functionedsimilarly, in that it prevented biofilm formation in theiron-unsaturated state, but not when iron-saturated. These resultssuggest that lactoferrin blocks P. aeruginosa biofilm formation bysequestering free iron.

It was hypothesized that the increased surface motility induced by ironchelation was due to twitching, a specialized form of surface locomotionmediated by type 4 pili. To test this, we performed surface motilityassays in which P. aeruginosa was inoculated at a point on the bottom ofagar plates, and the rate at which bacteria spread over the agar-plasticinterface was measured. Because it is more stable than lactoferrin, theiron chelator deferoxamine was used to prepare the agar plates.Deferoxamine stimulated surface motility in a dose-dependent manner andthis response was blocked by adding iron (FIG. 4 d). Thus, as free ironlevels decreased, surface motility increased.

EXAMPLE 4 Biofilm Formation and Stimulation of Surface Motility

To further test whether lactoferrin prevented biofilm development bystimulating surface motility, its effect on a P. aeruginosa surfacemutant was examined. It was hypothesized that the mutant would formbiofilms in the presence of lactoferrin. FIGS. 4 e, f show that themutant formed microcolonies and irregularly shaped biofilms in both theabsence and presence of lactoferrin. This stands in contrast to thesurface wild-type strain, where differentiated biofilm formation wascompletely blocked by lactoferrin (FIGS. 4 a, c). Taken together theseresults indicate that lactoferrin prevents biofilm formation bystimulating bacterial surface motility. Furthermore, the concentrationof lactoferrin that had this effect did not limit the growth offree-swimming bacteria and only slightly reduced the growth of attachedcells. Once bacteria were living in an established biofilm, they lostsensitivity to lactoferrin.

EXAMPLE 5 Biofllm Formation in the Presence of Lactoferrin and theEffects of Antimicrobials

Biofilm bacteria are extraordinarily resistant to killing byantimicrobials. It was hypothesized that the surface attached bacteriallayers that formed in the presence of lactoferrin would be lessresistant than differentiated biofilms that formed in the absence oflactoferrin. To test this, bacteria were grown in a biofilm reactor onsmall removable discs. This allowed the antimicrobial susceptibility ofthe bacterial community to be tested with its multicellular structureintact. Bacteria were grown with or without conalbumin. Conalbumin wasused in these studies because the cost of lactoferrin was prohibitivefor the large volume of medium required, and as described above,lactoferrin and conalbumin affected biofilm formation similarly. After48 h, the discs were removed from the reactor (and from the conalbumin),and two agents were tested: H₂O₂, which neutrophils utilize in theoxidative killing of bacteria; and tobramycin, an antibiotic usedclinically to treat P. aeruginosa infections. Control biofilms wereresistant to both agents; 1000 μg/ml tobramycin and 500 mM H₂O₂ hadminimal effects on viability after 4 h of treatment (FIG. 5). Incontrast, growth in conalbumin decreased resistance to both agents in adose-dependent manner. Thus, in addition to inhibiting structuraldifferentiation, iron chelation limited the development of an importantfunctional consequence of biofilm formation—antimicrobial resistance.

Conclusion from the Examples

For the host, the development of a biofilm infection on a normallysterile mucosal surface can have disastrous consequences. For example,biofilms form in the airways of cystic fibrosis patients and on othercompromised mucosal surfaces.

The data from the examples above suggest that lactoferrin has apreviously unrecognized role in host defense. In addition to itswell-known bactericidal and bacteriostatic actions, it blocks theformation of P. aeruginosa biofilms at a low concentration, keeping thebacteria more vulnerable to killing. This function may serve as afail-safe mechanism to prevent bacteria that survive initial defensesfrom assuming the intractable biofilm state. Secondary immune responsesmay then be better able to combat the infecting organisms.

From the bacterial point of view, biofilms are a growth mode specializedfor long-term colonization of surfaces. The data indicate that a higherlevel of iron is required for biofilm formation than is needed forgrowth. If the iron level is acceptable, P. aeruginosa is cued to stopmoving, form microcolonies, and eventually develop into biofilms. Ifiron levels are not sufficient, the P. aeruginosa cells keep moving.This response may ensure survival of the bacteria by preventing theconstruction of complex, durable biofilm structures in locations whereiron, a critical nutrient, is in short supply.

Incorporation By Reference

All publications, patent applications, patents, and other referencesmentioned herein are incorporated by reference. In addition, thematerials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and not intendedto be limiting.

Equivalents

Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain usingno more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specificembodiments and methods described herein. Such equivalents are intendedto be encompassed by the scope of the following claims.

1. A method of inhibiting biofilm formation by bacteria comprisingcontacting said bacteria with an effective amount of a metal chelator,to thereby inhibit biofilm formation by said bacteria.
 2. The method ofclaim 1, wherein said metal chelator is a proteinaceous metal chelator.3. The method of claim 1, wherein said metal chelator is anon-proteinaceous metal chelator.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein theproteinaceous metal chelator is an iron chelator.
 5. The method of claim4, wherein the iron chelator is a naturally occurring polypeptide orfragment thereof.
 6. The method of claim 4, wherein the iron chelator isan engineered polypeptide.
 7. The method of claim 4, wherein the ironchelator is lactoferrin.
 8. The method of claim 4, wherein the ironchelator is conalbumin.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the bacteriaare from the genus Pseudomonas.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein thepseudomonas is from the species aeruginosa.
 11. A method of stimulatingsurface motility in bacteria comprising contacting said bacteria with ametal chelator.
 12. The method of claim 11 wherein said metal chelatoris a proteinaceous metal chelator.
 13. The method of claim 11 whereinsaid metal chelator is a non-proteinaceous metal chelator.
 14. Themethod of claim 11, wherein bioavailable iron is limited by saidproteinaceous metal chelator, thereby stimulating surface motility insaid bacteria.
 15. The method of claim 12, wherein the proteinaceousmetal chelator is an iron chelator.
 16. The method of claim 15, whereinthe iron chelator is a naturally occurring polypeptide or fragmentthereof.
 17. The method of claim 15, wherein the iron chelator is anengineered polypeptide.
 18. The method of claim 15, wherein the ironchelator is lactofemin.
 19. The method of claim 15, wherein the ironchelator is conalbumin.
 20. The method of claim 11, wherein the bacteriaare from the genus Pseudomonas.
 21. The method of claim 20, wherein thepseudomonas is from the species aeruginosa.
 22. A method of inhibitingbiofilm development by bacteria in a subject comprising administering tosaid subject an effective amount of a metal chelator, thereby inhibitingbiofilm development by said bacteria in said subject.
 23. The method ofclaim 22, wherein said metal chelator is a proteinaceous metal chelator.24. The method of claim 22, wherein said metal chelator is anon-proteinaceous metal chelator.
 25. The method of claim 22, whereinthe biofilm development is in a region selected from the group of theairway, cornea, middle ear, heart, prostate, kidney, and bone.
 26. Themethod of claim 22, wherein the proteinaceous metal chelator is an ironchelator.
 27. The method of claim 26, wherein the iron chelator is anaturally occurring polypeptide or fragment thereof.
 28. The method ofclaim 26, wherein the iron chelator is an engineered polypeptide. 29.The method of claim 26, wherein the iron chelator is lactoferrin. 30.The method of claim 26, wherein the iron chelator is conalbumin.
 31. Themethod of claim 26, wherein the bacteria are from the genus Pseudomonas.32. The method of claim 31, wherein the pseudomonas is from the speciesaeruginosa.
 33. A method of treating a subject suffering from abacterial infection comprising administering to said subject acomposition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a metalchelator, thereby treating the subject suffering from a bacterialinfection.
 34. The method of claim 33, wherein said metal chelator is aproteinaceous metal chelator.
 35. The method of claim 33, wherein saidmetal chelator is a non-proteinaceous metal chelator.
 36. The method ofclaim 33, wherein said composition further comprises an effective amountof an antibacterial agent.
 37. The method of claim 33, wherein saidantibacterial agent is an antibiotic.
 38. The method of claim 33,wherein the proteinaceous metal chelator is an iron chelator.
 39. Themethod of claim 38, wherein the proteinaceous iron chelator is anaturally occurring polypeptide or fragment thereof.
 40. The method ofclaim 38, wherein the iron chelator is an engineered polypeptide. 41.The method of claim 38, wherein the iron chelator is lactoferrin. 42.The method of claim 38, wherein the iron chelator is conalbumin.
 43. Themethod of claim 33, wherein the bacteria are from the genus Pseudomonas.44. The method of claim 43, wherein the pseudomonas is from the speciesaeruginosa.
 45. The method of claim 37, wherein the antibiotic istobramycin, tazobactam, ciprofloxin, piperacillin, semi-syntheticpenicillins, amino glycosides, fluoroquinones, cephlosporins, orclindamycins.
 46. The composition of claim 43, wherein the antibiotic isselected from the group consisting of tobramycin, tazobactam,ciprofloxin, piperacillin and clindamycin.
 47. A method of inhibitingbiofilm development on a medical indwelling device in a subjectcomprising administering to said subject an effective amount of a metalchelator, thereby inhibiting biofilm development on said medicalindwelling device.
 48. The method of claim 47, wherein said metalchelator is a proteinaceous metal chelator.
 49. The method of claim 47,wherein said metal chelator is a non-proteinaceous metal chelator. 50.The method of claim 47, wherein said device is selected from the groupconsisting of catheters, orthopedic devices, prosthetic devices,vascular stents, urinary stents, pacemakers, and implants.
 51. Amicrobial disinfectant composition comprising an effective amount of ametal chelator.
 52. The microbial disinfectant of claim 51, wherein inthe metal chelator is a proteinaceous metal chelator.
 53. The microbialdisinfectant of claim 51, wherein in the metal chelator is anon-proteinaceous metal chelator.
 54. The disinfectant of claim 51,further comprising a biocide.
 55. The disinfectant of claim 51, furthercomprising an antibiotic.
 56. A pharmaceutical composition comprising atherapeutically effective amount of a metal chelator and apharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 57. The pharmaceutical compositionof claim 56, wherein in the metal chelator is a proteinaceous metalchelator.
 58. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 56, wherein in themetal chelator is a non-proteinaceous metal chelator.
 59. Thepharmaceutical composition of claim 56, further comprising anantibacterial agent.
 60. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 59,wherein said antibacterial agent is an antibiotic.
 61. The method of anyone of claims 7, 18, 29, or 41, wherein the concentration of lactoferrinis between 5 and 50 μg/ml.
 62. The method of any one of claims 7, 18,29, or 41, wherein the concentration of lactoferrin is between 15 and 40μg/ml.
 63. The method of any one of claims 7, 18, 29, or 41, wherein theconcentration of lactoferrin is between 20 and 30 μg/ml.
 64. The methodof any one of claims 7, 18, 29, or 41, wherein the concentration oflactoferrin is 20 μg/ml.
 65. A method of inhibiting biofilm formation ona piece of equipment by bacteria comprising contacting said bacteriawith an effective amount of a metal chelator, to thereby inhibit biofilmformation by said bacteria.
 66. The method of claim 65, wherein saidmetal chelator is a proteinaceous metal chelator.
 67. The method ofclaim 65, wherein said metal chelator is a non-proteinaceous metalchelator.
 68. The method of 65, wherein the equipment is used for amedical, industrial or commercial application.
 69. A method ofinhibiting biofilm formation on a device comprising, contacting saiddevice with a compound comprising an effective amount of a metalchelator, thereby inhibiting the formation of biofilm on said device.70. The method of claim 69, wherein said metal chelator is aproteinaceous metal chelator.
 71. The method of claim 69, wherein saidmetal chelator is a non-proteinaceous metal chelator.
 72. The method ofclaim 69, wherein contacting comprises bathing said device in a solutioncomprising an effective amount of a proteinaceous metal chelator. 73.The method of claim 69, wherein contacting comprises coating said devicein a solution comprising an effective amount of a proteinaceous metalchelator.
 74. The method of anyone of claims 1, 11, 22, 33, 47, or 68,wherein the bacteria are contacted with said metal chelator prior to apoint at which the bacteria stop roaming as individuals.
 75. The methodof claim 74, wherein said metal chelator is a proteinaceous metalchelator.
 76. The method of claim 74, wherein said metal chelator is anon-proteinaceous metal chelator.
 77. A kit for treating a bacterialinfection comprising a metal chelator and directions for use.
 78. Thekit of claim 77, wherein said metal chelator is a proteinaceous metalchelator.
 79. The kit of claim 77, wherein said metal chelator is anon-proteinaceous metal chelator.
 80. The kit of claim 77, furthercomprising an antimicrobial agent.
 81. The kit of claim 80, wherein theantimicrobial agent is an antibiotic.
 82. A method of inhibiting biofilmformation by bacteria comprising obtaining a metal chelator; andcontacting said bacteria with an effective amount of a metal chelator tothereby inhibit biofilm formation by said bacteria.
 83. The method ofclaim 82, wherein said metal chelator is a proteinaceous metal chelator.84. The method of claim 82, wherein said metal chelator is anon-proteinaceous metal chelator.
 85. A method of stimulating surfacemotility in bacteria comprising obtaining a metal chelator andcontacting said bacteria with the metal chelator thereby stimulatingsurface motility in bacteria.
 86. The method of claim 85, wherein saidmetal chelator is a proteinaceous metal chelator.
 87. The method ofclaim 85 wherein said metal chelator is a non-proteinaceous metalchelator.
 88. A method of inhibiting biofilm development by bacteria ina subject comprising obtaining a metal chelator; and administering tosaid subject an effective amount of said metal chelator therebyinhibiting biofilm development by said bacteria in said subject.
 89. Themethod of claim 88, wherein said metal chelator is a proteinaceous metalchelator.
 90. The method of claim 88, wherein said metal chelator is anon-proteinaceous metal chelator.
 91. A method of treating a subjectsuffering from a bacterial infection comprising obtaining a metalchelator; and administering to said subject a composition comprising aneffective amount of said metal chelator thereby treating the subjectsuffering from a bacterial infection.
 92. The method of claim 91,wherein said metal chelator is a proteinaceous metal chelator.
 93. Themethod of claim 91 wherein said metal chelator is a non-proteinaceousmetal chelator.
 94. A method of inhibiting biofilm development on amedical indwelling device in a subject comprising obtaining a metalchelator; and administering to said subject an effective amount of saidmetal chelator thereby inhibiting biofilm development on said medicalindwelling device.
 95. The method of claim 94, wherein said metalchelator is a proteinaceous metal chelator.
 96. The method of claim 94,wherein said metal chelator is a non-proteinaceous metal chelator.
 97. Amethod of inhibiting biofihm formation on food comprising, contactingsaid food with a compound comprising an effective amount of a metalchelator thereby inhibiting the formation of biofilm on said food. 98.The method of claim 97, wherein said food is further contacted with anantibiotic.
 99. The method of claim 98, wherein said food is meat. 100.The method of claim 3, wherein the non-proteinaceous metal chelator is asmall molecule metal chelator excluding EDTA, EGTA, deferoxamine,detheylenetriaminepenta acetic acid and etidronate.
 101. The method ofclaim 3, wherein the non-proteinaceous metal chelator isethylenediamine-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid (EDTA); the disodium,trisodium, tetrasodium, dipotassium, tripotassiun, dilithium anddiammonium salts of EDTA; the barium, calcium, cobalt, copper,dysprosium, europium, iron, indium, lanthanum, magnesium, manganese,nickel, samarium, strontium, and zinc chelates of EDTA;trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane-N,N,N′,N′-tetraaceticacid monohydrate;N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)glycine;1,3-diamino-2-hydroxypropane-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid;1,3-diaminopropane-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid;ethylenediamine-N,N′-diacetic acid; ethylenediamine-N,N′-dipropionicacid dihydrochloride; ethylenediamine-N,N′-bis(methylenephosphonicacid)hemihydrate; N-(2-hydroxyethyl)ethylenediamine-N,N′,N′-triaceticacid; ethylenediamine-N,N,N′,N′-tetrakis(methylenephosponic acid);O,O′-bis(2-aminoethyl)ethyleneglycol-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid;N,N-bis(2-hydroxybenzyl) ethylene diamine-N,N-diacetic acid;1,6-hexamethylenediamine-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid;N-(2-hydroxyethyl)iminodiacetic acid; iminodiacetic acid;1,2-diaminopropane-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid; nitrilotriacetic acid;nitrilotripropionic acid; the trisodium salt ofnitrilotris(methylenephosphoric acid);7,19,30-trioxa-1,4,10,13,16,22,27,33-octaazabicyclo[11,11,11]pentatriacontanehexahydrobromide; or; triethylenetetrainie-N,N,N′,N″,N′″,N′″-hexaaceticacid.